Person:Thomas Ramsey (15)

Thomas Ramsey was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Records of Thomas Ramsey in Augusta County, VA 3 Processioning List of 1756 & 1764 4 Information on Thomas Ramsey		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Early Surveys in Augusta County:

• 1750, Thomas Ramsey - Survey, 310 Acres on James River. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 72].

• 1754, Thomas Ramsey - on Borden's Run, of Catawba - Survey, 145 acres. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 173].

• 1755, Thomas Ramsey - Survey on Sinking Spring Creek, 108 acres. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 175].

Acquisition of Land from in Augusta County:

• Page 131.- (28 November 1751)-Same (From James Patton) to Thomas Ramsey, 130 acres ditto. Branch of Catawba (first time so spelt). [Source: Chalkley's Vol. 3].

• March 2, 1754, Thomas Ramsey, 145 acres on Borden's Run, a small branch of Catawba. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 82]. (Note: same tract listed in survey above).

• May 5, 1755, Thomas Ramsey, 108 acres on Sinking Spring Creek. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 84]. (Note: same tract listed in survey above).

Disposition of Land in Botetourt County:

• Page 72. February 5, 1770. Thomas Ramsey to Samuel McFarrin. 15 pounds. 130 acres on a branch of the Catawba River. Witnesses: John Montgomery, Robert Davis, Samuel Montgomery. [Source: Botetourt County Deed Book #1].

• November 15, 1773. Thomas McPhersin, from Thomas Ramsey and Nancy - 310 acres on James River. [Source: "Kegley's Virginia Frontier", by Frederick Bittle Kegley, pg. 473]. (Note: this record listes Thomas Ramseys wife's name as Nancy).

Records of Thomas Ramsey in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records:

• Page 203.--17th February, 1758. Colonel James Patton's estate; appraised by Thomas Stewart, John Ramsey, Edward Hall. List of bonds, bills, &c., due the estate: Thomas Ramsey, 13th December, 1753; Thomas Ramsey, 14th April, 1748. (ote: listed among many others).

• Page 54.--18th August, 1761. Daniel Looneys (Luney) appraisement, by George Adams, Thos. Ramsey, John Miller--Two nurseries of apple trees. Due by John McFall.

• Page 55.--18th August, 1761. Peter Luney's appraisement, by Geo. Adams, Thos. Ramsey, Robt. Montgomery--Cash, etc. Due by Jno. Miller, Thos. Ramsey, Joseph McMortry, Wm. Boyd, Wm. Bird, James Ledderdale, David Luney.

• Page 192.--16th February, 1762. Robert Mountgomery's bond (with Saml McRoberts, Thos. Ramsey) as administrator of Jas. Gatlive.

• Vol. 1 - JUNE, 1764 (A). - Mary McDaniel (McDanniell) vs. Daniel McCormick and Thomas Ramsey.--Bond 8th October, 1760.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST, 1764 (B). - Looney vs. Looney.--11th May, 1764. John Smith's deposition. He was present when the proposals were made that Robert Looney and wife desired to have confirmed. Some time after Colonel Buchanan was sent for to draw the articles, and Buchanan's statements are punctually true. The articles were lodged with deponent. Shortly afterwards defendant and wife made a demand of Peter Looney (now deceased) and David Looney of the house and land. Peter Looney immediately answered (which David agreed to), "choose the spot for the house and it shall be built, and show the land, and Colonel Buchanan and Colonel Smith shall lay it off." They insisted to have land over the creek, but Peter and David refused because it was contrary to the agreement. Then Robert and wife made a second demand of David Looney. The old woman said she chose to have the land in the orchard, which he agreed to, and further said if they chose to have the house where his barn stood, he would remove the barn. The widow Looney sent off for cattle to winter in consequence of the bargain. The first winter after the bargain David Looney wintered Robert Looney's cattle, and deponent several times saw David drawing firewood to the said Robert, and he saw widow Looney send a hand to cut wood for him. Sworn to before William Preston, Isiah Christian, Benjamin Hawkins. William Lawderdeal says that the second winter after the above agreement, Margaret, the relict of Peter Looney, deceased, sent him to Robert Looney to get and drive what cattle fell to her share to winter, according to the agreement. Robert sent one cow. Thomas Ramsey deposes that Robert Looney was intoxicated with liquor when the articles were written, but was perfectly in his senses when they were signed. John Buchanan deposes plaintiffs are Peter and David Looney, defendants are Robert Looney and John Bowyer. There were proposals between defendants and plaintiffs about the making over his land to them, which bargain was afterwards concluded and deponent was sent for to draw the articles. Both parties repeated to him all particulars of the agreement, which he wrote down. Defendant Robert was drinking spirituous liquors too freely so that he lay down to sleep before writing was concluded. Deponent too(k) the articles home and after some time returned and found Robert awake and in his perfect senses. All executed. Part of the land belonged at that time to Absalom Looney. Deponent mentioned this to Robert, who said that Absalom had ordered his land to be sold, that he would buy it and throw it in with his other land and make it over to plaintiffs. Robert told deponent on Absalom's return from Carolina that he had paid Absalom £10 and he was well pleased with what Robert had done. The agreement was that the plaintiffs were to lay off five acres for defendant anywhere he chose on the premises, a certain rent to be paid yearly.

• Page 225.--7th March, 1765. James Hollis and Anne to George Patterson, £70, 395 acres by patent, 7th August, 1761, on waters of Catawba; corner Burden's land, Thomas Ramsey's line. Teste: Wm. Davis.

• Vol. 1 - MAY, 1765 (C). - Articles of agreement, &c., between Robert Luney, of one part, and Peter Luney and David Luney, of the other part.--Robert Luney, in consideration, &c., but especially of a sufficient support and maintenance to him and his wife, Elizabeth, during their natural lives, &c., (conveys) to his two sons, Peter and David, tract whereon Robert now dwell (except the part lying on the South Side of the Creek, where his son Daniel now lives); also the tractwhere Peter now lives. Peter and David agree to build a good and commodious house for their father and mother wherever Robert choses. Three cows reserved by Robert; rest to be divided between Peter, John and David Luney. Horses he gives to son John, except two which he gives to son Daniel. Dated 11th October, 1759. (Signed) Robert (mark) Luney, Peter Luney, David Luney. Test: John Smith, John Buchanan, Thomas Ramsey.

• Page 105.--David Robinson and Anneble (Annable) to Israel Christian, 10th August, 1765, £40, 167 acres by patent, 10th March, 1756, on Buffalo of Roanoke. Teste: David Robinson, Thos. Ramsey, Robert Buchanan, Daniel McNeil, James Robertson.

• Page 380.--11th December, 1769. Robert Clark's appraisement, by Peter Luney, Thos. Ramsey, John Potts. To bills against the country. Cash. Two Bibles and other old books.

• Page 289.--13th March, 1770. Alexander Bruce's estate settled, by John Montgomery, administrator--Paid Joseph Montgomery, Walter Stewart, Anthony Bledsoe, John and Andrew Crockett, Wm. Sawyers, Thos. Ramsey, Andrew Lyday. Received from James Allison for improvements and right of entry of land sold Allison. Due the estate from Benj. Rutherford, John Rutherford and Wm. Herbert.

Processioning List of 1756 & 1764

"Processioning" was the periodic review and agreement of property lines between settler's lands. Processioning Lists are useful in determining the general area of a settler’s lands and their neighbors at specific time periods:

• Page 169.--1756: Processioned by Thos. McFarrin and Robert Montgomery, in Cap. John McFarrin's Company, on Catawbo Creek, for viz: For Saml. McRoberts, for Wm. Snotgrass, for John Neeley, for Pat. Shurkey, for Saml. Thompson, for Thos. Hadley, for Jno. McFerrin, for Thos. Ramsey; for Pat Scott, can't show his lines; for Jno. McClenachan, can't show his lines; for Francis Ryley, can't show his lines; for Wm. Preston, can't show his lines; for Wm. Hutchison, for James Hutchison, for David Mitchell, for Robt. Mountgomery, for Jno. Marchel, for Joshua Hadley, for Wm. Richey, for Thos. McFarrin.

• Page 377.--Processioners appointed as follows, viz (1764): William Robinson and James Robinson, from Heads of Roanoke to Fort Lewis. William Bryan and James Neilly, from Fort Lewis on Waters of Roan Oke. James Rowland and Joseph Montgomery, Thomas Ramsey and James Lawderdale, on Waters of Catawbo and James River on the South Side. James McGayvock, James Gilmore, John Poage, John Thompson, between Buffalo and James River. John Paxton, Abraham Brown, Andrew Miscampbell, Alex. Collier, between Buffalo and the North River to the North Mountain. Wm. Taylor, Thos. Paxton, Moses Whitesides, Jno. McClung, from North River to Beverley's line between the Great Road to the Court House and South Mountain. Andrew Hall, James Buchanan (son of William), Thos. Berry, James Trotter, from North River to Beverley's line between the Great Road to the Court House, by Cap. Bowyers and the North Mountain.

Information on Thomas Ramsey

From Ancestry.com post:

According to Draper Manuscripts, Josiah Ramsey who was a captive of the Indians as a boy of about 10 was the son of Thomas Ramsey of Augusta County, VA who is found also in Boetourt, Fincastle and Washington Counties in VA. Thomas Ramsey who is said to have served in the French and Indian War is listed as one of the earliest settlers of Washington County, VA being there prior to 1770.

Henry and William Ramsey were also sons of Thomas Ramsey. He had daughters Mary Ramsey who married Colonel Anthony Bledsoe and Elizabeth who married Amos Heaton/Eaton.

Most of the members of this Ramsey family including Josiah, William and Henry removed to the Cumberland Settlements near Nashville. Henry, William, and Anthony Bledsoe were killed by Indians in the late 1780s. Josiah survived and removed to KY and finally to MO where he died at an advanced age.

JOSIAH RAMSEY "son of Josiah Ramsey of Reidy Creek in Wythe Co. VA, and brother of Mrs. Eaton and Thomas Ramsey" came "with his brother to the Cumberland Settlements in 1780".

THOMAS RAMSEY "son of Josiah Ramsey, and brother of Josiah Ramsey (see beforementioned)"

You can read about the Bledsoes, Eaton and Ramsey sisters in "Seedtime on the Cumberland" by Harriet Arrnow. There are several physical land features in the Nashville basin around the Cumberland River named after Eaton and Bledsoe, who died in the early Indian battles before TN became a state. Amos Eaton came to TN overland by way of the Holston River valley. Mary and Elizabeth had a brother named

Josiah who had a well known reputation as an Indian fighter.

Source: http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.ramsey/2381.2/mb.ashx

Possible Clue to Thomas Ramsey's migration after 1773:

• 1782 - Thomas RAMSEY is granted 500 acres in Sullivan Co. Tennessee, on Fall Creek joining his own lines [Burgner (1981: 39), No. 1030] (Not certain this is same Thomas Ramsey).